Chris and Holly  Blackwell Grange Wedding Photography, Stratford Upon Avon

Since we’re now getting some of the first proper wintery weather – hands up if you had to scrape your car this morning? – I thought I’d treat us all to a little summer throwback to remind us what the sunshine feels like! 

So today I’m going to tell you all about Chris and Holly’s wedding at Blackwell Grange in the Cotswolds. At the end of August, it wrapped up what had easily been the busiest wedding photography month of my career, so it felt really fitting that Chris and Holly were people I’d come to enjoy spending time with.

I first met them a couple of years ago, before the pandemic – obviously by the time it rolled around, theirs was one of many weddings that had been rescheduled over the previous 18 months. 

We’d had the chance to get to know each other during their engagement shoot, which had been at Chesterton Windmill in Warwickshire – a really gorgeous setting with views for miles. Holly and Chris had planned to use the pictures from that occasion on their wedding day – in their guest book and on the table plans – and they were a joy to shoot!

Holly’s a person with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for life, and that’s something that makes my job extra fun – she had no qualms about running through the fields around the windmill with the dog in tow! Chris, I could tell, was used to her high-energy style, and I could totally see why they worked as a couple – they complemented each other perfectly.

That energy and excitement carried right through to their wedding day at Blackwell Grange, where Holly rocked up in a campervan. She leapt from it with all the joy and enthusiasm of someone about to marry the love of their life, and threw a few dance moves into the mix as well…which possibly had something to do with the bottle of champagne that had disappeared on the journey to the venue…

Chris and Holly had arranged for a minibus to take all their guests over to Blackwell Grange, so about an hour before the ceremony the coach arrived and the guests had an opportunity to have a drink, play some Jenga, or just catch up before the ceremony. It was really lovely to see all the hugs, laughter, and catching-up going on, that had been long-awaited over the last year or so.

One of the things about Blackwell Grange that makes it really work as a wedding venue is that there are two barns – one for the ceremony, and one where wedding breakfasts are laid out – and there are gorgeous grounds with epic sunsets to boot.  It makes a beautiful setting for a wedding, and Holly and Chris and their families had gone to a lot of effort over all the finishing touches – Holly’s mum had prepared and decorated a spectacular wedding cake, Holly had made a huge painted backdrop for their photobooth herself, and her dad had crafted a massive wooden frame which sat behind the top table and at the end of the aisle – I could tell a lot of time, love, and skill had gone into everything, and that makes capturing it all the more special for me.

Once everyone had taken in their lovely surroundings, it was time for the official part of the day, and the ceremony began. Holly’s a really expressive person so it was lovely to capture her reaction to seeing Chris as she walked down the aisle. 

I was absolutely delighted to learn that Chris and Holly were of the (correct) mindset that there can never be enough confetti. That’s super fun both for guests, who love to grab a massive handful of the stuff and liberally shower the newlyweds, and for me, who gets the opportunity for plenty of confetti snaps. Those confetti shots can be real ‘blink-and-you’ll miss it’ moments, so a confetti tornado can be a real blessing for us photographers!

While Holly and Chris shook the paper and petals from their hair, their guests enjoyed a really generous post-ceremony nibble, with fizz being accompanied by a whole lot of delicious canapes. There was live music out in the warm air, and a general feeling of happiness and contentment.

I could tell that morning, when he’d set eyes on his daughter in her bridal gown for the first time, that Holly’s dad had a special relationship with her. During the speeches, too, it was really apparent, as he talked about the bond they’d shared since she was a little girl. It always really gets me when parents do a happy cry at their kids’ weddings and this time was no different! Holly stood up to give him a big hug and I could feel the emotion spread across the whole room.

It was a little overcast during the speeches, and although the weather hadn’t been doing its August best that day, it did brighten up a little at golden hour and we were briefly treated to a classic stunning Blackwell Grange sunset, when I was able to capture some images of Chris and Holly (somehow still full of energy after a long and emotional day!)

And as everyone knows, just as night follows day, after daytime drinking comes evening fun…! Following a few more drinks outdoors, Chris, Holly, and their guests headed indoors to let rip on Blackwell Grange’s dancefloor, and GOOD LORD were there some impressive moves being thrown when I left the venue later! I was so happy to see everyone having the time of their lives and want to wish Holly and Chris every happiness for their lives together. 

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A Blackwell Grange Wedding Photographer , THEN CONTACT ME TODAY TO DISCUSS.